alopecia areata....what do I expect??? I'm 17!!! - Hair Loss / Alopecia Message Board

micro · 01-05-2004, 03:07 PM

Hey everybody,

Today I went back to the doctor for a second cortisone shot. This time it was a different doctor though. I went in for the shot and that was it. But I asked this doctor of what I have and she said it is very possible that I have alopecia areata. I informed her of what my previous derm had said and how it was only folliculitis and that cortisone shots will fix the problem.

Anyway, she was look at the small bald area. She said she notices a bump, which is an indication of a cyst. If that is the case, there is a chance of scarring. However, because I had that cyst for only a day or two, the fact that I'm getting the cortisone shot immediately would help get rid of the cyst and allow it to cause minimal or no damage at all. This bald area isn't totally bald yet...it has new tiny wee bits of hair growing out all over the place. But the hair is short and thin. Is that a bad sign? The hair growing process has slowed, if not stopped. I'm concerned that it's been damage. My first shot was 3 weeks ago, and today I got my second.

Before getting my first shot, I used a cream which did help, however, the side effects weren't helping ME at all..so we opted for the shots.

What should I expect now? The wait is going to be long...but as long as it works. From what I said...do you think the prognosis is good? And also did what the derm say about the cyst make sense? Is it true that if a person gets a cyst and treats it right away with cortisone, it will do minimal damage?

Thanks!!

Sorry for the great number of questions....Thank you in advance.!!

micro · 01-05-2004, 03:45 PM

oh yeh...just wondering...is it true that hair will definitely grow back? I have the mild form of alopecia areata. and according to some website---naasf.org?,

That is the case.

Cortisone is the most common treatment. If that doesn't work, what will be my other options?

THanks.

Nicko12 · 01-29-2004, 12:23 PM

hello!
I am 16 now, and I know what you are going through. In 6th grade I guess I was what 12, I had gotten a bald spot which was the size of a half dollar, went to a doctor in the city I live in Philadelphia, some of the best doctors are in the city I went to a specialist. Anyway, I was always crying and depressed because of this bald spot, I thought it would never go away. I thought it was from my nerves because I am/ use to be always nervous and stressing. Anyway she said it was alopecia arieta, She said take hair skin vitamins, anyway I had it for around 6 to 7 months and my hair grew back, but I have blonde hair, so it is like light brown, it blends in with my hair color since it is dirty blonde, but it definitely look a little darker, the color my hair will be when i am older I am guessing. Anyway, I sure hope it doesn't ever come back, but I read that it can later it life. Anyway, I am sure yours will go away, I never had a bump or anything, but I think it will grow back within a year. I was just thankful it wasnt bigger then what it was, because a person can go entirely bald with alopecia areita. Hang in there buddy I know what your going through, but it will get better I promise. I went through it and was teased etc., now in 10th grade I just went into homeschooling, but I wish I could of gone back when that occured lol, but anyway hang in there!

Nick

micro · 01-29-2004, 07:43 PM

Hey nick,

Thanks for the support! THe cortesone shots aren't working too well. It's responding, BUT very very slowly.

Oh well, just gotta keep getting it. It's smaller than a dime.

What are these vitamins that you speak of?

Do they help???

Thanks! and GOOD LUCk!

Nicko12 · 01-29-2004, 07:59 PM

I never had any shots or anything, so I just dealt with it. It was very depressing and left an emotional scar, that I am slowly getting over! I have a lot of problems with life, like people put their problems on me and everything just got stressful. My life is full of drama, lets just leave it at that! I got them at GNC store or VitaminWorld I forget lol, but they were Skin, hair and Nail vitamins I believe... I don't know if they had any effect, but knew that it grew back after like 6-8 months, I really try to block that period of my life out. I try to forget these bad things that happen to me for a reason, so I don't remember I blocked a lot of it out and forgot, but im sure u will be fine just wait it out, and take vitamins. The speciailist said that mine could be alopecia arieta and thats what it most likely was or a vitamin dificiency because back then if I got stressed I still do it to this day I won't eat for days. Thats just how I get, some people eat when their stressed I don't.. Anyway good luck I feel for you seriously, I know how it feels. I let my hair grow long to cover it, mine was in the back of the head.